America

[Carma]

If you're going to New York City, fortunately you won't have to worry about driving -- the public transportation there is awesome.

I live in Ohio and to me, NYC is a whole other world in itself! There is no way you can compare NYC to the rest of the United States, really. Our life here is so different than there -- my two oldest daughters live in New York City and I LOVE it!!! But life here is much, much more laid back. Even our biggest cities here don't bustle like the Big Apple.

People are afraid of us??? I guess I am surprised to hear that! I must be naive, but I feel pretty safe here in the U.S. I'd be far more afraid to go to a country where you can get thrown in jail for exposing a lock of hair.

One of my favorite things about NYC is the street musicians. And sometimes they play in the subway, too. So fun! You can expect to see just about anything there! (Except guns. They show up on tv dramas but you are not likely to encounter anyone pulling a gun on anyone in real life! Lots of sensationalism out there. The odds are good that you will be perfectly safe.)

Another great thing about NYC is the FOOD -- you can eat ANY cousine you desire. There are restaurants from every part of the world on practically any given block! Alas, yes we are all about the supersize portions here, which may be disturbing but it is always ok to take a "doggie bag" with you when you leave. (Do you have this expression? You take some food home "for the dog," which you may in fact give to your dog, but most of us save and eat for lunch the next day ).

You will love it here! Have a great trip!!

[Magdlyn]

My understanding is, Europeans don't do doggie bags and think the idea is gross.

[bella123456]

Thanks Carma - Yeah, I think NYC will be a blast !

Street musicians & awesome food sounds just fab. New York has a lengendary glow about it - People just rave about it !

And yes, we have the term "doggie bag"...and it's quite common for us to ask to take leftovers home too.

We're super excited !

[Somegeezer]

Originally Posted by Carma

If you're going to New York City, fortunately you won't have to worry about driving -- the public transportation there is awesome.

I live in Ohio and to me, NYC is a whole other world in itself! There is no way you can compare NYC to the rest of the United States, really. Our life here is so different than there -- my two oldest daughters live in New York City and I LOVE it!!! But life here is much, much more laid back. Even our biggest cities here don't bustle like the Big Apple.

People are afraid of us??? I guess I am surprised to hear that! I must be naive, but I feel pretty safe here in the U.S. I'd be far more afraid to go to a country where you can get thrown in jail for exposing a lock of hair.

One of my favorite things about NYC is the street musicians. And sometimes they play in the subway, too. So fun! You can expect to see just about anything there! (Except guns. They show up on tv dramas but you are not likely to encounter anyone pulling a gun on anyone in real life! Lots of sensationalism out there. The odds are good that you will be perfectly safe.)

Another great thing about NYC is the FOOD -- you can eat ANY cousine you desire. There are restaurants from every part of the world on practically any given block! Alas, yes we are all about the supersize portions here, which may be disturbing but it is always ok to take a "doggie bag" with you when you leave. (Do you have this expression? You take some food home "for the dog," which you may in fact give to your dog, but most of us save and eat for lunch the next day ).

You will love it here! Have a great trip!!

New York sounds a lot like London. Leeds isn't far off. It's only a city, rather than built up of many districts like London is. But it still gets very busy. Everything you could ever need within walking distance. I could walk from one side of the city centre to the other within an hour.

Yes we do have doggie bags too. I have never got myself one though. I manage to always eat what is put on my plate. =P I'm used to big portions myself. I'm not a fat guy, but I could certainly eat like one. If I were to leave quite a bit of good food, I'd certainly take it back in a doggie bag though. No point in wasting a good meal, even if it literally does end up going to the dog.

"I'd be far more afraid to go to a country where you can get thrown in jail for exposing a lock of hair."
I wouldn't ever want to go there either. I enjoy my hair and prefer to show it off. ;D

[Charlie]

Bella,

I have thinking long and hard about what to tell you about The United States of America. So, after much deliberation, here are some practical, and hopefully useful, bits of information.

1) The system of paved interstate highways in the U.S.A. is a modern marvel. The prefix U.S. stands for Unified System. All odd numbered roads run north/south, and all even numbered roads run east/west. For instance,
U.S. Interstate 80 runs from the east coast to the west coast, while
U.S. Interstate 75 runs from the tip of Michigan (north) to the tip of Florida (south). The phenomenon known as "franchise landscape" has developed along the major interstate roads. There is a McDonald's restaurant and a Walmart store at every exit ramp it seems. This is the plastic packaging of our nation. Feel free to ramble down some dirt roads; you will be safe, I assure you.

2) This country is enormous. The State and National Parks are public lands and camping is encouraged for a minimal fee. As there has been an increase (infestation) in the population of bedbugs (I'm not kidding) in hotels and motels throughout New England (New York) and the Midwest (Ohio), I suggest you consider your options for lodging. Bedbugs love to hitch rides in luggage, clothing, and personal effects and are next to impossible to kill.

3) The West is bigger than you can imagine. Go to the Grand Canyon. The deserts of New Mexico and Arizona are spectacular. Denver, Colorado is one of the kindest big cities I have ever had the pleasure of, with mountain lakes and rivers that are, well, majestic. The South is covered in kudzu and sausage gravy, and yes, Southern hospitality is very real.

4) Racism and small mindedness are unfortunate aspects of any culture. This one is no different. Some places are worse than others. Keep your eyes open and your ears peeled. Travel smart and with respect, not fear, and you will be just fine.

Lots of other things, endless really. If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to try and answer.

Safe travels,

Charlie

[nycindie]

Bella,
When are you coming to NYC? Send me a private message when you have dates. We can have a get-together!

[RfromRMC]

Originally Posted by Somegeezer

New York sounds a lot like London.

Having been to both, I often describe London to fellow Americans as a mix between New York and Washington DC. London is huge like New York...and has all the entertainment, business, financial stuff. But it's also a little like Washington in that it has fewer skyscrapers, lots of government institutions, embassies, etc...and other political things that usually are found in a nation's capital city.

Now that I think of it, the US has that heavily in common with Australia & Canada--- a separate capital city that's not the big major financial "capital" (or Largest City). Unlike most of the major Euro countries, where it's the same city.

[bella123456]

Originally Posted by nycindie

Bella,
When are you coming to NYC? Send me a private message when you have dates. We can have a get-together!

Will do !!

Originally Posted by Charlie

1) The system of paved interstate highways in the U.S.A. is a modern marvel. The prefix U.S. stands for Unified System. All odd numbered roads run north/south, and all even numbered roads run east/west. For instance,
U.S. Interstate 80 runs from the east coast to the west coast, while
U.S. Interstate 75 runs from the tip of Michigan (north) to the tip of Florida (south). The phenomenon known as "franchise landscape" has developed along the major interstate roads. There is a McDonald's restaurant and a Walmart store at every exit ramp it seems. This is the plastic packaging of our nation. Feel free to ramble down some dirt roads; you will be safe, I assure you.

2) This country is enormous. The State and National Parks are public lands and camping is encouraged for a minimal fee. As there has been an increase (infestation) in the population of bedbugs (I'm not kidding) in hotels and motels throughout New England (New York) and the Midwest (Ohio), I suggest you consider your options for lodging. Bedbugs love to hitch rides in luggage, clothing, and personal effects and are next to impossible to kill.

3) The West is bigger than you can imagine. Go to the Grand Canyon. The deserts of New Mexico and Arizona are spectacular. Denver, Colorado is one of the kindest big cities I have ever had the pleasure of, with mountain lakes and rivers that are, well, majestic. The South is covered in kudzu and sausage gravy, and yes, Southern hospitality is very real.

4) Racism and small mindedness are unfortunate aspects of any culture. This one is no different. Some places are worse than others. Keep your eyes open and your ears peeled. Travel smart and with respect, not fear, and you will be just fine.


Charlie

That's awesome, thanks Charlie..
1. Such a simple piece of information regarding road numbering that I did not know, and will make my travels easier !!
2. mmm...bugs, we have our fair share too !
3. I wish I had more time, the more I learn, the more I want to see !
I dream of deserts
The excitement is becoming unbearable...
4. Agreed, we have more than our fair share of racism and small mindedness here.

Thanks all for the tips and welcome advice

[Somegeezer]

Originally Posted by RfromRMC

Having been to both, I often describe London to fellow Americans as a mix between New York and Washington DC. London is huge like New York...and has all the entertainment, business, financial stuff. But it's also a little like Washington in that it has fewer skyscrapers, lots of government institutions, embassies, etc...and other political things that usually are found in a nation's capital city.

Now that I think of it, the US has that heavily in common with Australia & Canada--- a separate capital city that's not the big major financial "capital" (or Largest City). Unlike most of the major Euro countries, where it's the same city.

I think that just shows that Europe is all about the money, where the US, Canada and Australia are more about government and keeping their citizens happy. To me anyways. It seems the government here is always out to fuck over the people, just to make money. [which they ended up failing at and owing thousands of millions to everyone.]

[SNeacail]

Originally Posted by Somegeezer

I think that just shows that Europe is all about the money, where the US, Canada and Australia are more about government and keeping their citizens happy. To me anyways. It seems the government here is always out to fuck over the people, just to make money. [which they ended up failing at and owing thousands of millions to everyone.]

Goverment is goverment all over the world and somehow they have all managed to find the most expensive and most inefficient ways to do anything. Politicians have a talent for taking a great idea and turning into a mediocre idea, makes it cost 100 times more, takes 5 times as long to put into place and only accomplishes 1/5 of what the original did.